Interchangeable utility bag



Aug. 29, 1939.

H. A. THIES ET AL INTERCHANGEABLE UTILITY BAG Filed May 23, 1938 fiH/Q/Q Y H0605? 7205s MIA/NH flaw/v02 77053 Patented Aug. 29, 1939 INTERJCHANGEABLE UTILITY BAG Harry August Thies and Minna Eleanor Thies,

. Severna Park, Md.

Application May as, 1938, Serial No. 209,402

. 2 Claims.

This invention refers to bags and more particularly to those of the purse type, suitable for carrying articles and packages by ladies. It has among its objects, to provide-a purse bag'capable of being adjustable to various lengths and capacities in a very facile manner. Another object is to have the bag provided with a handle that may be readily installed or removed. Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

This invention consists of a bag. that has a plural quantity of adjustments to permit the bag to hold a relatively small amount of items at first, then be extended to increase the amount,

and finally to open up to the full capacity and contain a relatively large supply. In other words, the bag in its folded up condition is of the size of a hand purse and is relatively inconspicuous. When extended more, it looks like a hand bag; and when opened up full, is a large carrying bag, The manner of limiting the size of the bag is provided for through the arrangement of fasteners that hold the folds of the bag in proper position, or release same when the bag 2 is enlarged. The handle is removeable and replaceable in order that the type of bag or its color or tint can be made to suit the clothes of the user. The handle is held in place substantially and its attachment or detachment can be made so quickly, and is self-locking.

In the drawing which illustrates an embodiment of this invention:

Figure 1 is a front view of a bag embodying this invention, with a portion broken away to show the interior construction,

Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side View of the bag with its capacity reduced one section by folding the lower portion up on the bag and fastening it in place,

Figure 4 is a side view of the bag with all the sections folded up to restrict the size of the bag to that of a hand purse,

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the handle and holding rod for supporting the body proper of 45 the bag,

Figure 6 is a section along the line 66 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a sectional view indicating the manner used for looping the bag on the holding rod,

50 Figure 8 is a side view of Figure 1 in section.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In the construction shown I represents a handle for an extensible bag 2 which consists of 55 three sections A, B, and C. The handle I is provlded with side yokes 3 and I that support a holdingrod 5. This rod has an insertion end portion 6 that slides into a socket I in the yoke 4. The lock end portion 8 is enlarged to fit and stop in a slot 8 in the yoke 3, the rod 5 passing through 5 as indicated in Figure 5 and locked in place with a coil spring II in the groove Ill, encircling the rod. A groove I2 in the yoke 3 registers with the groove ID to cooperate in holding the spring in position. The bag I has its upper portion 10 looped over at I3 and sewed to hold the bag .on the rod when the latter passes through it, as shown.

The handle has an opening I 4 in it for the hand of the user. The conventional arrangement for 15 providing a mouth at the handle with a conventional lock I5, provides a suitable closure for same.

A self-locking unit Z5 is attached to the upper portion of the handle slot 26 as indicated, and locks the handles together when held by the go hand, and the back is held in a vertical position.

The exterior of the bag is provided with a series of button fasteners it that permit the sections A, B, and C to be brought up and fastened together, as required or desired. The interior of the bag is arranged with partitions I1 and I8, preferably of netting which separate each section when opened into separate I and distinct compartments as indicated. This prevents the packages from dropping down to the bottom of the bag 30 each time the sections are extended. The pockets l9 and 20 are.attached to the upper section A on its interior surface for use in holding cards, change, and for general purposes.

When in normal use, all sections are buttoned in place to make a compact purse as shown in Figure 4. When more than one section is needed, the next or succeeding sections are unbuttoned to permit their use, with the partitions in them. The removal or replacement of the bag proper can be quickly arranged by using pressure on the coil spring II, sufficient to permit the holding rod to be withdrawn through the loop I3 and yokes and removed from the handle.

Any suitable means for closing the pockets I9 and 20 can be used. Hinges 2| allow the handle to open for access to the interior of the bag. The bag is formed in any conventional manner to suit its purposes and the material to harmonize with its surroundings when in use. The self-closing lock 25 is attached at 28 to one, of the handles but its jaws 21 embrace both, when pressure is put on its fiat tension spring 29.

While but one form of the invention is shown in the drawing, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to the particular construction indicated, or in any other way, otherwise than limited by the prior art, as it is appreciated that other forms might be used that would employ the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A purse bag handle of the class described comprising in combination, a handle member in two parts of symmetrical construction having a slot for the insertion of fingers of the hand for holding same together, a self-closing look attached to one of the members with jaws extending therefrom for embracing the two member parts and holding same together, side yokes extending from the member parts having slots therein for the insertion of rods for holding the bag thereto, rods for holding the bag as aforesaid, said rods having grooves in their end portions, coil springs mounted in the side yokes adapted to coact in the said grooves and secure the rods from coming out of the yokes.

2. A handle of the class described comprising a plurality of symmetrical handle members arranged to coact with each other, said members having yokes pending down therefrom provided with slots and grooves therein, rods for insertion in said slots and grooves for providing means for supporting a bag having hems therefor, said rods having portions grooved peripherally around them, coiled springs mounted in the yokes in slots therein and arranged with the axis of the coils parallel to the peripheries of the said rods and the coils themselves resting in the grooves oi. the rods to frictionally secure the latter in place, and. a flat tension spring attached to one of said members with jaws extending therefrom adapted toengage the members and hold same together when pressed.

HARRY AUGUST THIES. MINNA ELEANOR TI-DES. 

